Six of the best all-inclusive hotels to book now

How about a little slice of Greek paradise, with not a child in sight, for your all-inclusive (and peaceful) escape? This adults-only private retreat offers 360° views of the caldera and Spinalonga island and is the ultimate go-to for a slow-paced and relaxing retreat. Guests can enjoy all-inclusive dining options, get involved with voluntary experiences or, of course, just lie back and do absolutely nothing at all. Take your relaxation to the next level at the award-winning spa, where you can indulge in the rituals of the ancient Greeks (and the most effective new skincare products). The hotel is a stone’s throw from a secluded shingle beach but, if you want to explore further, check out the fishing village of Elounda and the Sunken City of Olous or take a boat trip to Spinalonga.

This friendly and fun five-star all-inclusive resort in Lanzarote has an Explorers’ Club for kids, and you may need to join it yourself to navigate around the nine swimming pools (including water slides), five dining options, seven bars and multiple entertainment areas. There is plenty of space (and peace) for all, whether or not you have children in tow. And for teens, so often caught somewhere in between, there’s an exclusive Core Zone Club with leisure activities and PlayStation games. Excursions from the hotel start from a few steps (to the beach) to a short drive, where you’ll be able to discover the Timanfaya National Park (all 51sqkm of volcanic soil) or La Geria, the perfect spot to sample some fine Spanish wines. And, if the excitement becomes too much, you can recover from the stress in the outstanding on-site spa.

This new all-inclusive Mexican retreat sits directly on the white sand of a secluded bay, overlooking clear blue waters. There’s something for everyone, with 735 rooms and suites to choose from, 13 all-inclusive restaurants and bars, a spa and a family area. Once you’ve tried and tested every dining and drinks option, there’s always the mini bar, which is stocked daily with premium drinks and snacks. Excursions from the hotel include underwater caves to explore, amusement parks, Tulum city centre and the Sian Ka’an (‘gate of heaven’) Biosphere Reserve. Back at the hotel, guests can relax by one of nine pools before enjoying evening entertainment and live music. If you want to get active in the day, there are daily sports activities on the beach (which can be followed by unlimited cocktails… the perfect reward).   

Looking for variety in your all-inclusive stay? This 238-room Mauritian resort is home to 13 restaurants and bars, two of the biggest kids’ clubs on the island, three pools, access to three golf clubs and a spa. Free activities include glass-bottom boat trips, snorkelling, windsurfing and tennis, or upgrade to scuba diving and full-day catamaran cruises. You can also get active in the martial arts area with tae bo, kickboxing, judo and karate. Outside the hotel, consider a day trip to the capital Port Louis to take in history, culture (and local cuisine), dolphin spotting at Tamarin Bay (if you’re fortunate) or hiking at the Tamarin Falls. Of course, if ‘variety’ in your stay looks like alternating your breakfast order and rotating your position at your favourite pool each day, it’s your holiday and you can fly and flop if you want to.   

The ultimate beach break calls for direct flights to the Maldives and your very own slice of paradise (if only for a week or two). At The Residence Maldives you’ll get access to two resorts in one, as The Residence Falhumaafushi and its sister property, The Residence Dhigurah are connected by a 1km wooden bridge, the longest private bridge in the Maldives. Experiences include going on a dhoni boat where, if you’re lucky, you may see wild dolphins in their natural environment, after which you’ll want to refuel at one of the resorts’ nine restaurants and six bars, including Cantonese dining at Li Bai and Mediterranean tapas at Café del Sol. If these whet your appetite for more culinary pursuits, you can book a private cookery class and harvest your own ingredients from the garden before concocting dishes under the watchful eye of the resort’s head chef. If you flew to the Maldives to do the absolute minimum, though, you’re only a barefoot stroll from a superlative beach to doze on.

Feeling adventurous? Let your thirst for exploration lead you to one of the driest places on earth. The all-inclusive ‘full experience’ option includes all meals, plus daily excursions with a local guide to explore the unique landscape of the Atacama Desert. Discover unbeatable stargazing under a crystal-clear night sky and wonder at the salt mountains and lake. Nayara Alto Atacama has 42 rooms and is the only hotel in the San Pedro river valley, with shepherds and family orchards surrounding the property. Activities include a sunrise visit to the Tatio Geysers, mountain biking around the Devil’s Throat in the Salt Mountain Range or trekking a path through the Sarapana mountains – used for centuries by local shepherds – along the Machuca wetlands and river. And keep your eyes peeled from the open-air observation deck for the most important constellations for the people of the Atacama.